We hope you and your family are safe and healthy. In this time of high anxiety when there is increasing turmoil in our streets, we share below one of the many communications our Community Security Initiative (CSI) has sent to all of our synagogues, schools, and Jewish organizations. Our Federation launched CSI in 2012 to serve as a single point of contact for critical incident coordination, information and intelligence sharing, safety and security training, and resources for all of Jewish Los Angeles. The Initiative hasn’t stopped working to protect our community and is committed to keeping us all safe — today and for the future.
We also continue to be in direct communication with many other organizations across Los Angeles as we try to move forward as a city and nation.
These are uncertain times, but our Federation continues to lead thoughtfully.
The Community Security Initiative (CSI) Analysis Center is providing the below information for advisory purposes only. You are receiving this information due to the incident’s awareness value.
As many of you are aware, riots have continued to break out in multiple cities, including Los Angeles, over the past two days. The riots developed out of protests originally centered around the death of Mr. George Floyd while in police custody in Minneapolis, MN.
The Los Angeles riots were initially centered around the downtown Los Angeles area and involved multiple suspects committing vandalism, looting, arson, and other property damage, with some rioters assaulting police officers. The following evening saw riots spread to the mid-Wilshire area along Fairfax Avenue, 3rd Street, Beverly Boulevard and the surrounding areas, as well as parts of Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. Again, the rioters committed acts of vandalism, looting, arson, and assault. Several Jewish sites were vandalized during this rioting and CSI is working with Jewish leadership and our government partners in response. Note: further media reports indicate rioters in other cities have reportedly used tactics such as improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and small firearms against police and bystanders.
As additional protests are possible over the coming days, CSI is asking everyone to do the following:
IMMEDIATE ACTIONS
- Avoid any large public spaces containing large gatherings of people demonstrating, as agitators may continue to take advantage and the situation may escalate quickly to indiscriminate violence.
- If you witness any damage to your institution by rioters, do not confront them! Leave the area immediately (if safe to do so) and dial 9-1-1. If you cannot leave the area, lockdown, follow your security protocols, and dial 9-1-1. Please remember to also notify the Analysis Center at CSI@JewishLA.org.
Please remain vigilant and remember that although most demonstrations are peaceful and are protected speech, past occurrences of civil unrest have led to assaults, vehicular attacks, the use of IEDs, and active shooter attacks. Continue to follow your security protocols and stay safe! Report any suspicious activity to your local law enforcement agency and CSI. Suspicious activity can also be reported through the iWatch LA website and to CSI@JewishLA.org. CSI will continue working closely with our law enforcement and government partners and will share any further information as it becomes available.
During these challenging times, you can rest assured that we are here. CSI continues to keep an eye out for threats to our Jewish community and to share information with you to help keep you safe. A large part of that mission depends on you, our clients. That is why it is so important for you to continue to report incidents and suspicious activity to us. Our experts are here, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and we will continue to be on watch throughout this crisis and beyond.
Please stay safe and stay vigilant,
Community Security Initiative (CSI)
